South Africa v England, 2015-16
Wisden's review of the second Twenty20 International, South Africa v England, 2015-16
15-Apr-2016
At Johannesburg, February 21, 2016. South Africa won by nine wickets. Toss: South Africa.
South Africa flattened England to secure the Twenty20 series 2-0, and leave Trevor Baylisslamenting that it had been "men against boys". From 157 for three in the 17th over, with Buttler andMorgan powering along, England lost their last seven for 14 in 20 balls, then conceded 88 in the sixpowerplay overs. De Villiers hit South Africa's fastest 20-over half-century, from 21 deliveries, andAmla got there from 27. Eight boundaries alone came from Jordan's first two overs, which cost 41.Morgan lacked alternatives, as England had recalled Billings for David Willey in an attempt to stiffenthe batting, and du Plessis hit the winning boundary with 32 balls to spare. Abbott and Rabada hadbowled well with the new ball, but Root found some rhythm, while Buttler forced two of his foursixes into the top tiers. Morgan recovered from a scratchy start, and the pair added 96 in 51 balls.However, Buttler drove low to extra cover, and Morgan was run out next ball, when Abbott deflecteda push by Stokes on to the non-striker's stumps. From there, a faltering innings comprised swings,misses, edges, scrambles and wickets as bowlers offered little width, and fielders held their chances.South Africa were clinical.Man of the Match:A. B. de Villiers.
Man of the Series:Imran Tahir
South Africa flattened England to secure the Twenty20 series 2-0, and leave Trevor Baylisslamenting that it had been "men against boys". From 157 for three in the 17th over, with Buttler andMorgan powering along, England lost their last seven for 14 in 20 balls, then conceded 88 in the sixpowerplay overs. De Villiers hit South Africa's fastest 20-over half-century, from 21 deliveries, andAmla got there from 27. Eight boundaries alone came from Jordan's first two overs, which cost 41.Morgan lacked alternatives, as England had recalled Billings for David Willey in an attempt to stiffenthe batting, and du Plessis hit the winning boundary with 32 balls to spare. Abbott and Rabada hadbowled well with the new ball, but Root found some rhythm, while Buttler forced two of his foursixes into the top tiers. Morgan recovered from a scratchy start, and the pair added 96 in 51 balls.However, Buttler drove low to extra cover, and Morgan was run out next ball, when Abbott deflecteda push by Stokes on to the non-striker's stumps. From there, a faltering innings comprised swings,misses, edges, scrambles and wickets as bowlers offered little width, and fielders held their chances.South Africa were clinical.Man of the Match:A. B. de Villiers.
Man of the Series:Imran Tahir